Carolyn Dale Newell is launching her new book “Faith, Freedom and 4 Paws: Seeing God Through Iva’s Eyes.” Carolyn is a talented Christian friend who is blind. This devotional is a result of her meeting her beloved seeing-eye dog, Iva, for the first time. I am pleased to post her devotional for this week’s blog post. In her own words, Carolyn writes:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)
I sat on the edge of my seat with my classmates, who were as anxious as I was. One by one, Lori and Louise, our instructors at GEB, announced the name, color, and sex of our guides. After the announcements, we hurried to our dorm rooms and waited for our fur babies to arrive. Immediately, I knew Iva was the same peppy, friendly dog I had walked the previous day. Lori left us to kindle a friendship. Iva covered me with kisses as I caressed her. We played a game called “Touch.” I made a fist, commanded her to touch it, and she bopped my fist with her wet nose. Then she received a treat. We still use the “Touch” command to draw her attention back to me.
Lori and Louise had warned us our dogs might still pine after them. I considered how my guide may feel shunned. The puppies are born at GEB, and at six to eight weeks go to volunteers to be raised. Their first human moms or dads teach them to be well-behaved members of society.
At fourteen to sixteen months of age, the puppy raisers say a tearful goodbye to their bundles of joy and return them to GEB. After six months of guide dog training, they are paired with a student, and the guide dog team graduates together.
Iva had gone through various changes in her short eighteen months of life. While Lori trained Iva, they bonded, but now Lori would never talk to Iva again. The only person who could speak her name was me. None of the trainers could talk to the dogs. This was vital for building a deep relationship between guide and handler.
Did Iva feel rejected when Lori ignored her? Did she feel unwanted or unloved? We bonded quickly, so I doubt it bothered Iva as much as it would have bothered me.
We often perceive the actions of others as personal. I have struggled with rejection, wondering at times, is it because I am the Bible-thumper, or am I a burden? Are they thoughtless, or is my perception warped because I am super sensitive?
Man’s rejection is God’s redirection.
God can use people to move us into the path He has prepared for us. Like ships passing at sea, they only remain in our lives for a season. We must not allow occasional feelings of being left out to create grudges or roots of bitterness in our hearts. We hurt no one but ourselves when we do that. Instead, observe how God is working. Is He moving you in another direction? You might not perceive His plan at first. One day you will survey those hurtful incidents as baby steps that led you to something greater. A wonderful plan for your life, orchestrated by God. Rejected or redirected?
Lord, help us refrain from overreacting to thoughtless people and hurtful situations. More importantly, give us a forgiving spirit so we can move forward. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Read Hebrews 12:15.
Faith, Freedom and 4 Paws: Seeing God Through Iva’s Eyes is the first book in the Guide Dog Tales series. Thirty encouraging devotionals will draw you closer to God while you walk along with the blind author and her guide dog.
Learn more here: https://amountainoffaith.com/product/faith-freedom-and-4-paws-seeing-god-through-ivas-eyes-guide-dog-tales-book-1/ Link
Carolyn Dale Newell is a gifted speaker and author of six books including Eyes of Faith. Her inspiring devotions uplift the hearts of readers at A Mountain of Faith, (https://amountainoffaith.com/ )